On November 29, 2017 the final on-site meeting for Phase 1 of the 48th Avenue Bridge Replacement Project was held. PSA Construction (the contractor) has now begun to demobilize their equipment from the area before their winter shutdown. The contractor is expected to have their equipment removed by the end of Friday December 1, 2017. Due to the freezing of Mirror Lake, the yellow sediment control curtains used for containing stirred up sediment and debris will remain in the lake until spring.

To date, vegetation has been removed and rock fill material has been placed in Mirror Lake on both sides of 48th Avenue to accommodate the widened and elevated roadway. Large rocks called rip rap have been placed along the edge of the rock fill where the new shoreline of the lake will be. These large rocks are used to prevent erosion of the bank.

Now that the work has been completed on Phase 1 of the project, all traffic restrictions have been removed and 48th Avenue will function as normal for both pedestrians and vehicles over the winter months. Please note that the re-opened sidewalks will be rough in places due to the construction that has taken place. The City asks citizens to please exercise caution when using the sidewalks between 51st and 53rd Street. Once PSA Construction starts their work again in the spring, 48th Avenue between 51st and 53rd Street will be completely closed to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. At that time, pedestrians and motorists will have to find alternate routes around the project.

Phase 2 of the 48th Avenue Bridge Replacement Project will begin in late March or early April of 2018. During the second phase of the project the existing bridge (along with the pedestrian bridges) will be removed and replaced. At the same time this is being done, the roadway will be raised by as much as 1.5 metres to reduce the “grade” (or steepness) of 48th Avenue heading into downtown. As well, an extra travel lane is being added between 51st and 53rd street in both the Eastbound and Westbound directions. Finally, a pedestrian underpass will be installed under the road to allow users of the trail network to pass underneath 48th Avenue without having to cross at either 51st or 53rd Street. All construction is expected to be complete by the end of August 2018.

Over the coming winter months, PSA Construction, the City, and AMEC Foster Wheeler (the consultants) will be meeting to discuss the proposed schedule for the upcoming work. In the meantime, the bridge girders and the box culverts for the pedestrian underpass will be fabricated and inspected.

The City of Camrose and PSA Construction would like to thank citizens for their patience during this project. As work has now halted for the winter months, there will be very few updates before construction resumes in the spring. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact the City of Camrose’s Engineering Department at engineer@camrose.ca or at 780-672-4428.

A historic photograph of the original 48th Avenue Bridge looking West towards 53rd Street, dated from 1953. The original bridge was in place until 1964, when it was replaced with the current structure that is being replaced through this project.

PSA Construction loading equipment onto a trailer as a part of the project demobilization for the year. The equipment will return to Camrose in the spring of 2018 as a part of Phase 2 of the project.

A track hoe places rip rap (large rocks) along the new shoreline of Mirror Lake on the North side of 48th Avenue.

Work on the North side of 48th Avenue is complete. Rock fill material has been placed in the lake to accommodate for the widened roadway.

On October 5th 2015, the City of Camrose approved the “Right to a Healthy Environment” Declaration. Camrose was the first City in Alberta to make such a declaration. The following lists various projects and actions taken by the City of Camrose related to the creation and maintenance of a healthy environment.

Energy Conservation – The Encana Arena Solar Power Project involved the installation of a 1,053,000 Watt solar power system, representing the second largest rooftop installation in Canada.

Energy Conservation – LED Streetlight Conversion – A contract was signed with Fortis for the replacement of City streetlights in 2017. We expect to replace 2,203 streetlights with low energy, dark-sky friendly LEDs in quarter three of 2017.

Water Protection – The Source Water Protection Plan, approved by both the City and the County of Camrose, will help protect the Battle River Watershed.

Water Protection – The Waste Water Treatment Project progressed with the selection of an upgrade technology to enhance the performance of our waster water treatment process.

Water Conservation – The draft Water Shortage Response Plan was created and circulated with the various stakeholders.

Water Conservation – The Low Flow Toilet Rebate Program.

Air Quality – The updated Smoking Bylaw prohibits smoking in public parks.

Air Quality – The continuation of the Naturalization Program with associated reductions in mowing requirements.

Transportation – The Community Bus Pilot Project was initiated including a combination of a fixed route and a group booking service.

Transportation – Improved trail system through the approved future installation of the 48th Street Underpass along with progress on the CP Rail Underpass. Once complete, these two projects will allow uninterrupted walkability from the north side to the south side of our beautiful City.

Promotion of Healthy Local Foods – Community services has plans for the expansion of the Community Gardens in 2017. This project may include plots in other areas of the City.

Reduced Solid Waste – Implementation of the new composting totes.

Reduced Chemical Use / Recycling – The millings produced from the various road overlay projects were repurposed to replace frequently used gravel roads with basic paved roads. This reduces the amount of maintenance required and eliminates the need for dust control chemical on those sections of road.

Increased Density – The approval of the updated Land Use Bylaw with related housing density provisions. These included reduced parking stall requirements and supports mixed use zoning.